National Symphony Orchestra Executive Director to Leave as Kennedy Center Faces Leadership Turmoil

Mar 6, 2026

The executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra has announced she will step down and leave Washington, becoming the latest senior figure to depart amid ongoing leadership changes at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Jean Dav

idson said she will take a new position as president and CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, ending her tenure at the Kennedy Center less than three years after joining the orchestra.

Her departure comes during a period of upheaval following changes in leadership at the Kennedy Center after Donald Trump moved to reshape the institution’s governing structure. The administration later installed former diplomat Richard Grenell as president of the center.

The leadership transition has sparked controversy and prompted criticism from some artists and cultural figures. Several performers have canceled appearances or moved projects elsewhere, including composer Philip Glass, who withdrew the planned debut of a new symphony, and musician Béla Fleck, who canceled multiple performances.

According to reports, attendance at some events has declined significantly in recent months. Meanwhile, the Washington National Opera — long associated with the Kennedy Center — has also relocated its activities after more than five decades at the venue.

In interviews discussing her decision, Davidson cited challenges created by rapid institutional changes and limited internal communication. She said major developments were sometimes learned through public reports rather than internal briefings.

One example she cited involved plans to close the Kennedy Center building for major renovations expected to last up to two years — a move that could pose logistical challenges for the orchestra, which manages a budget of roughly $42 million and schedules performances years in advance.

The ongoing turmoil has also drawn political attention. Joyce Beatty, a Democratic member of Congress, has taken steps in federal court to challenge the planned shutdown.

For decades, the Kennedy Center has been regarded as one of the most prominent cultural institutions in the United States. The recent leadership changes and departures have intensified debate over the role of politics in the management of national arts organizations.

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